The 2002-2003 India National Oral Health Survey and Fluoride Mapping was the first scientific survey to look at oral health habits and diseases at a state and national level. Participants were interviewed on food consumption, cleaning practices, oral health literacy and treatment, and were also examined for oral health problems

A total of 19 states were covered in the study, with 16 dental colleges participating in the examinations. Water samples were also collected from each represented area to identify the fluoride levels for state-level fluoride mapping.